Life, 1912-11-21 · page 33 of 44
Life — November 21, 1912 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page's main satirical piece is the essay titled "The Need for More Constitutions." It's a reductio ad absurdum argument against rigid, unchangeable governance. The author argues ironically that if we truly believed in constitutional constraints, we should apply them everywhere—not just government. He points out that a "thorough-going and unamendable constitution in biology" would have prevented Darwin and evolutionists from working. Similarly, a theological constitution would have blocked scientific criticism; an industrial one would have prevented telephones, automobiles, and other innovations. The satire targets **conservatives who championed constitutional rigidity** while paradoxically supporting technological and industrial progress. The piece exposes the contradiction: those advocating strict constitutional constraints benefit from societies that *rejected* such constraints in other domains. The accompanying anecdote about a soldier going to the gallows—reassuring the crowd "nothing will be done without me"—reinforces the theme: progress requires active participation and flexibility, not passive adherence to fixed rules. The page also contains period advertising for diamonds, toothsoap, and Hamilton watches—typical Life magazine content of this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Thi: 14 Carat Perfect Cut $1 Genuine DIAMOND s3"°° 728 For over 36 years the house of Jason Weiler 1 Son of Moston has bees one of the lexling and Wt he ay than 869 seed Ht bad The Need for More Constitutions Why, pray, must we be satished with a constitution in governmental af- fairs only? If we are going to be con- servative, why not do the job up brown? Suppose, for instance, we had had a thorough-going and un- amendable constitution in biology. Darwin, Haeckel and the rest of the evolutionists could never have got a foothold. They could have been de- clared unconstitutional instanter and that would have been the end of them. So in theology. The Higher Criticism would certainly have been unconstitu- tional if we had had a theological con- stitution with sufficient’ cheeks, bal- ances and majesty. So in industry. It would have been the simplest thing in the world to avert telephones and automobiles and aeroplanes and wash- ing machines and vacuum cleaners. Our forefathers were skilled in gov- ositive Delight to Brush the Teeth and gums with Arnica Tooth Soap. It sterilizes the mouth, roying putrefactive and fermentative bacteria, and Produces a delightful sense of cleanliness that cannot be obtained with pastes, powders or washes. Strong’s Arnica Tooth Soap (Cleanser and Mouth Wash in One) which perfectly cleanses ant potishes the teeth handy mecal box—Nothing to break or spill. A con- Venlent cake that laste for months, 28e at your drogen —or send direct. C.H.STRONG& CO. - + ~- Chicago au iw an Absolute Necess accurate watch is a constant source of satis- faction and reliance. Over one-half of all the Railroad Men on American Railroads main- taining Official Time Inspection carry The’ | amilton {Patch The Railroad Timekeeper of Americ When a majority of railroad men fix their choice upon the Hamilton Watch for timing their runs, it is the strongest con- ceivable guarantee of accuracy. Don’t you want to own the sort of watch that will keep time with the watches of Limited ee ten eiseenciete| Train Engineers and Conductors? Write for “The Timekeeper” A handsome book about watches that pictures and describes the various Hamilton Models—gladly sent to anyone interested in the purchase of a fine watch. The Hamilton Watch is made in standard sizes for men and women and sold by leading jewelers everywhere at $38.50 to $125.00 for complete watches, timed and adjusted in the cases at the factory. In some models, movements only may be purchased, so that, using your present watch case, you can own a Hamilton Watch for $12.25 and upwards Ask your jeweler. If he cannot supply you, write us Hamilton Watch Company Lancaster, Pennsylvania <x = crnmental affairs. In that realm they could devise a standstill that would make an irresistible force look like a henpecked husband. In other respects, however, they have allowed us to be- a come wildly and unrestrainedly pro- V-ALL-NO- gressive E04 AFTER OINNER einer “AFTER DINNER MINT* A delicious, creamy candy with a flavor all its own, Sold in tins only, never in balk, (MANUFACTURING CO. OF AMERICA Panssare, A sotpiex, who was being led to the gallows, saw a crowd of people running on before. “ Don’t be in such a hurry,” said he to them. “I can assure you nothing will be done without me.” 2257 comicbooks.com